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Master of Strategic Communications Management - 2019

Postgraduate - Course

Commencement year

This course entry applies to students commencing this course in 2019
and should be read in conjunction with information provided in the
'Faculty information' section of this Handbook by the Faculty of Arts.

Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.

This course normally takes 2 years full-time to complete but if you have relevant entry qualifications you may receive credit and be able to complete the course in 1.5 years full-time, or part-time equivalent.

You have a maximum of 6 years to complete this course including any periods of intermission and suspension, and must be continuously enrolled throughout.

Alternative exits

Graduate Certificate of Arts

Graduate Diploma of Arts

Refer to 'Alternative exits' entry below for further requirements and details.

Description

The Master of Strategic Communications Management provides students with professional skills, specialist knowledge and key capabilities relevant to career pathways in a wide range of strategic communication related fields. This industry focused degree develops core competencies in critical areas of advocacy and persuasion, public relations and crisis communications, audience research and data analytics which can be applied to the government, corporate, not-for-profit and community sectors. Taught by a combination of leading academics and practitioners in the field, students can also choose to develop deep knowledge in key elective fields including policy communication, health communication, sports communication and communication for social change and development.

Upon successful completion of this course, it is expected that you will be able to:

Understand and analyse the possibilities, challenges and impact of strategic communication;

Critically interpret and evaluate secondary literature in the field of study, and the key texts and cultural products pertaining to strategic communication;

Apply advanced reading, communication and analytical skills, both written and verbal;

Apply a variety of research methodologies to real world problems of communication management, and develop effective solutions within an ethical framework;

Enter professional practice equipped with industry relevant specialist skills that demonstrate intercultural and global competence in a world of constant technological and social change.

Structure

The course is structured in four parts: Part A. Foundation studies, Part B. Strategic Communication reach and focus, Part C Collaboration and Innovation and Part D Elective Clusters. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A or Part D or both. Note that if you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit.

Part A. Foundation studies (12 points)

These studies provide you with an introduction to strategic communications management.

These studies draw on best practices within the broad realm of strategic communications studies practice and research to further students understanding of strategic communications management both locally and globally. Studies focus on the challenges posed and how communication management can play a key role in influencing and ensuring globalisation and increasing levels of cross-cultural exchange.

Part C. Collaboration and innovation (24 points)

As tomorrow's leaders, our students will develop a suite of transferable professional skills to respond effectively to pressing strategic communications issues. Students will learn the skills to engage necessary stakeholders to allow them to effectively formulate, influence and evaluate communication practices in a variety of professional contexts. The focus of these studies is professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. Students will have the skills to work together to analyse and, identify best practices and understand and evaluate their transferability, and develop innovative and impactful solutions with real world applications.

Part D. Advanced expertise: Elective streams (24 points)

Elective cluster units enable students to further their knowledge of their chosen focus, or strategic communication management more broadly.

APG5848 Research thesis (24 points) or APG5849 Research thesis A (12 points) and APG5850 Research thesis B (12 points)

Part D: Advanced Expertise: Elective Streams (24 points)

Students complete one area in which to specialise from the list below or complete the required points under the general studies stream. Students admitted to the course at entry level 2 complete 12 point only.